Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle Reading App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Comment: Light creasing to cover. Clean and unmarked book with tight binding!

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and .

In August of 1969, during two bloody evenings of paranoid, psychedelic savagery, Charles Manson and his dystopic communal family helped to wreck the dreams of the Love Generation. At least nine people were murdered, among them Sharon Tate, the young, beautiful, pregnant, actress and wife of Roman Polanski. Ed Sanders' unnerving and detailed look at the horror dealt by Manson and his followers is a classic of the true-crime genre. The Family was originally published in 1971 and remains the most meticulously researched account of the most notorious murders of the 1960s. Using firsthand accounts from some of the family's infamous members, including the wizard himself, Sanders examines not only the origins and legacy of Manson and his family, but also the mysteries that persist. Completely revised and updated, this edition features 25 harrowing black and white photos from the investigation. "One of the best-researched, best-written, thoroughly-constructed, and eminently significant books of our times . A masterpiece."Boston Phoenix

{"currencyCode":"USD","itemData":[{"priceBreaksMAP":null,"buyingPrice":13.85,"ASIN":"1560253967","isPreorder":0},{"priceBreaksMAP":null,"buyingPrice":12.97,"ASIN":"0393322238","isPreorder":0},{"priceBreaksMAP":null,"buyingPrice":10.95,"ASIN":"0802130240","isPreorder":0}],"shippingId":"1560253967::XowmywgLrYCt1%2BZvj%2FwRnbr906fmQ%2BE9xXCdJvMWsgbIp%2BN72ZmCuiXwKR68ecVHcx%2FTbdAwxsg6RobHt2c5gvmS%2Bzy%2BeKMY5ysjG9aqQNk%3D,0393322238::JBZBTKMhlfoxBMDm0cudEjEhatNW4sV5%2FTGaptdD7fsvx1syeyY3V8WbzifJPy04iGpItba2n1PcCQ7uxY94ve68R%2FgBfbhPqH7PDx0o5Jg%3D,0802130240::Tv5bPnHTqwBLLjePKgE2wZZTEW0%2Bs%2BjsXA0tI%2FYhgO68VeL1o0wgj11DowcULFnQcdwJHYYgxUOgBS3x1N4MFYET8RIp2gjhlN7kIa5db58%3D","sprites":{"addToWishlist":["wl_one","wl_two","wl_three"],"addToCart":["s_addToCart","s_addBothToCart","s_add3ToCart"],"preorder":["s_preorderThis","s_preorderBoth","s_preorderAll3"]},"shippingDetails":{"xz":"same","xy":"same","yz":"same","xyz":"same"},"tags":["x","y","z","w"],"strings":{"addToWishlist":["Add to Wish List","Add both to Wish List","Add all three to Wish List","Add all four to Wish List"],"addToCart":["Add to Cart","Add both to Cart","Add all three to Cart","Add all four to Cart"],"showDetailsDefault":"Show availability and shipping details","shippingError":"An error occurred, please try again","hideDetailsDefault":"Hide availability and shipping details","priceLabel":["Price:","Price for both:","Price for all three:","Price For All Four:"],"preorder":["Pre-order this item","Pre-order both items","Pre-order all three items","Pre-order all four items"]}}

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I'm not sure how anyone could ever dismiss Ed Sanders' "The Family," a detailed account of Charles Manson and the murders his Family committed during the summer of Woodstock, 1969. A superb companion book to Vincent Bugliosi's "Helter Skelter," Sanders' "The Family" is an alternative trip through the madness that defines one of the most infamous and horrifying crimes in American history.While "Helter Skelter" is a factual, by-the-numbers recount, "The Family" is an attempt to get beneath the surface of these unimaginable crimes. Sanders, a pseudo hippie himself, well-versed in the howling of beatnik eras and the twang of Bob Dylan travels, had unparalleled leeway into the lives of Manson's followers before and during the criminal trials of 1970. He hung with the waifs at Spahn ranch before it burned to the ground. He camped with these very weird kids in Death Valley. And he caught wind of the numerous crazy rumors that floated around like so much LA smog while writing alongside the army of TV/print reporters covering the trial. His work is valid, and his opinions cut through much of the myth and legend of this case. It is also the first true book ever released on this case, having been published in 1971.Sanders' flippant disregard for Manson's con, and the con of his worshipers, is refreshing. His style reminds me of the extraordinary ruminations of Evan S. Connell in "Son of the Morning Star" - a fantastic work dealing with another rather bloody historical event (Custer and Little Big Horn). Sanders refuses to accept the myth or the legend, and reveals the dirty, flea-bitten truth. His is an unconventional, creative approach, told from the eyes of a most intelligent mind.But I still find much of Sanders' work to be extremely irresponsible.Read more ›

While no Manson book will ever tell the true story, due to variations of 'truth' amongst those involved, this book as a facinating look into a certain era in American history that is too easily glossed over with tye-dye and lava lamps. A must for Manson 'fans'. PS- Blue and Red have both denounced it, so there must be a kernal of truth in here somewhere.

A perfect companion to Vincent Bugliosi's "Helter Skelter", "The Family" was written by Ed Sanders, one time member of the "counter culture" 60's act The Fugs. Like Bugliosi, Sanders had first hand contact with The Manson Family in the late 60's/early 70's, however unlike Bugliosi he was not a straight prosecutor but (admittedly) a member of "the underground press" and a dyed in the wool hippie. Sanders occasionally deviates through some wacky borderline conspiracy theories, though always leaving you to draw your own conclusions. The fact that he took numerous trips out to the desert to mix with the Family while writing this book is akin to frontline tours of duty as a war correspondent and adds to the realism as he breaks bread with Manson's murder zombies. I've read this book five times over the past three years and each time its as chilling as the first when you realize that an ex-con hijacked the peace and love generation by collecting damaged youth and utilizing his control skills learned as a former pimp which combined with liberal doses of hallucinogenic drugs helped him create his morbid dream world of racial unrest, murder and mayhem, that was quite possibly just a mask for a personal, money and drug fueled related agenda.

Is it possible to present facts in an enteraining manner? Sanders style of writing is great and keeps your interest. If you want court testimony, legal documents, and legal jargon, read Helter Skelter or visit [...] If you want to read something about these horrific events in a way that isn't boring and over your head, read this. This is one of my favorites on this subject!

Fugs figurehead ed sanders does not disappoint with his incredibly researched/first-hand account of the Manson trial and mystery. curious enough, i found everything leading up to the murders the most interesting period covered in the book. Sanders acts as your personal guide through the morass of Manson's ritual/hate killings, sex/terror/mind control cult, and the rather colorful characters and locations that floated/hovered around the man. Don't expect a cut and dry 540 pg written version of an episode of 'unsolved mysteries'. the reader definitely must appreciate Sanders' sense of humor and rhythm of verse to fully engage in the tale he weaves. highly recommended as a first read into the love and terror cult.

This is the best book on Manson, the whole Helter Skleter story, period.. Not sure if it's all factual or not. I have read many different things saying it is, it isn't. It's a great book. And incredible story and my favorite on the subject of Manson. I have a top 5 Manson book list that I think gives you a better picture of the whole story if you read them all. This is may favorite. A must read if you're a fan of this subject and story. This subject has so many twists, turns and side stories happening. It's just an incredible story. My picks in order on this subject are - 1) The Family, 2) Shadow Over Santasusana, 3) Manson: In His Own Words, 4) Will You Die For Me?, 5) Helter Skelter.